Mathematics, neural networks, and a supercomputer in Massachusetts
For the past six months I worked as a visiting scholar at MIT in Boston, conducting research for my Master's in Applied Mathematics at TU Delft. The central question: can neural networks accelerate solvers for the high-frequency Helmholtz equation? It sounds abstract, but it touches everything from acoustics to seismology.
What started as a well-defined project grew fast. The computations became so heavy that my laptop and even the department servers were no longer enough. Eventually I got access to MIT's supercomputer on the other side of Massachusetts, which meant learning an entirely new way of working. That was tough at first, but in hindsight one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
The best result was something we never planned for. The neural network spontaneously learned a geometric decomposition of wavefields, a structure none of us expected. That finding ended up becoming the heart of my thesis. I graduated with a 9/10 and the distinction Cum Laude.
My supervisor told me early on that my biggest challenge would be learning to work alone. That sounded harsh. But he was right. Complete freedom in direction, schedule, and approach sounds ideal, but is surprisingly difficult. It taught me to create structure where there is none, and to trust my own mathematical intuition.
Beyond the research, Boston itself was an experience. I lived with medical students who had to take care of their lab animals every day, which made me realize how much freedom mathematics actually gives you. I was welcomed into the graduate cohort, which gave me an immediate social and academic home. And to my own surprise I was selected for the MIT Offshore Sailing Team, something I would not have thought possible beforehand. Sailing became my way of clearing my head after long days of computation.
American culture looks similar to Dutch culture on the surface, but feels quite different. More focus, more dedication, less hesitation. That shaped me.
My advice to other students: do it. The threshold feels high and the first weeks are uncomfortable. But that discomfort is exactly where the growth is. Do start your visa and funding applications early.
